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Cambridgeshire and the community

He added: “Francesca has reached an age where she is starting to ask more questions about her condition – she knows she is different, she knows she doesn’t have the same abilities as her friends – but this chair would give her some independence and that is vital for her as she grows.”

As a result, her parents have turned to Newlife, a charity for disabled children, to raise the money needed for a powered wheelchair.

Mr Cirillo said: “We have ploughed all our savings into giving Francesca a safe place to live and making our home more accessible for her.

“We just don’t have the money to buy the wheelchair too.”

The company previously providing wheelchair and mobility services to the NHS was Provide, which shut Francesca’s case saying no further action was required, but AJM Healthcare has taken over since.

An AJM Healthcare representative said they will be reopening the case and have booked Francesca in for a new assessment in June.

Francesca with her dad Domenico, mum Magdalena, and sister Maria.

Mr Cirillo said: “Having spoken to the medical team, it might be that they provide some vouchers towards the cost of the chair, and that would help Newlife make up the rest of the cost.”

He added: “It’s less pressure on the charity if the NHS could provide more support but we’re conscious that the NHS is stretched and we are grateful for whatever we can get.”

Cambridgeshire-based charity Wheels for Martin’s Friends has already donated £3,000, but more is still needed for the £10,000 chair.

Any extra funds raised will go to the 31 other children on the waiting list for specialist equipment in our region.

To donate, visit newlife.support/HelpFran, call Newlife on 01543 431444, text NEWLIFE FRAN to 70500 to give a one-off £10 or to 70300 to give £3 a month, or email local@newlifecharity.co.uk